Breastplates & Body Armour

The gambeson was developed as padding for armour and extra protection from sword thrusts, but it could also be worn without armour as a heavyweight, everyday tunic. Outer garb like this comfortable, black quilted gambeson made of 100% cotton was very popular from the early Middle Ages until the Renaissance.

The lacing at the neckline slit allows you to close it up to the stand-up collar as tightly as required. Below the hips, our black quilted gambeson has slits at the front and back to provide more freedom of movement.

100% cotton.

Size:
Medium: 46" chest 
Large: 50" chest 
X-Large: 54" chest

BELT NOT INCLUDED.

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Lightweight Gambeson with confidence from the UK’s leading Medieval clothing retailer.

This handsome, 2-piece gambeson can be used as padding beneath armour, protection against cuts beneath a mail shirt, or without any body armour at all. The brown,  padded, sleeveless waistcoat with the matching shirt are made of 100% cotton and decorated with metal studs.

The softly padded, sleeveless gambeson has lacing at the front and sides so it can easily adjust to fit every figure. The gambeson waistcoat can be worn on its own or over the matching shirt provided. The shirt sleeves are generously padded and the shirt buttons to the collar at the front. This combination of sleeveless gambeson and shirt provides effective protection and wearing comfort at the same time.

Please note - this item is great for costumed events and LARP but is not designed for the rigours of re-enactment.


Small / Medium: up to 48" 
Large / X-Large: up to 56" 
XX-Large: up to 64"

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Robin of Locksley Gambeson with confidence from the UK’s leading medieval clothing retailer.

Made of the highest quality 2.5mm leather and 18 gauge steel. Leather and steel thickness and colour shade may vary from item to item due to handcrafted manufacturing and the use of traditional inks.

It may have small marks on its surface, imperfections or won't be 100% homogeneous. Roughness and colour may vary from piece to piece. The dying process is performed using traditional techniques so final colour may vary depending on leather´s original tone.

Buy the 'San Mauricio' Brigandine with confidence from the UK’s leading medieval armour retailer.

Made of highest quality 2.5mm leather and 18 gauge steel. Leather and steel thickness, and colour shade may vary from item to item due to handcrafted manufacturing and the use of traditional inks.

It may have small marks on its surface, imperfections or won't be 100% homogeneous. Roughness and colour may vary from piece to piece. The dying process is performed using traditional techniques so final colour may vary depending on leather´s original tone.

Chest (circumference): 115cm
Length: 105cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Visby Brigandine with confidence from the UK’s leading medieval armour retailer.

A Brigandine was the most common form of protection among commoners and nobility. On a 15th-century battlefield, you will find all the different styles of brigandine, ranging from the most ordinary longbowman’s brigandine to the most expensive and luxurious, high-ranking nobleman’s brigandine! A versatile form of protection offering excellent mobility, a historical brigandine features clever construction. It was made of 100s of small plates under a sturdy canvas or leather covering that gave it its iconic appearance with all the rows of plates elegantly appearing on the outside. Not only did it have an extremely distinguished appearance, but it was also extremely comfortable, precisely because of the excellent mobility it allowed. All these parameters have supported an advantage of being able to be worn for long hours, which is something all re-enactors have respected and enjoyed during hours on battlefields and long events.

A brigandine was also quite efficient in offering excellent protection, forming a perfect balance between having almost no hindrance in the movement and retaining a significant amount of protection. It was usually worn by a common soldier, with a haubergeon underneath or just a pair of mail sleeves, a skirt, and a limited amount of armour (all are available separately). It was implemented by knights and men at arms, in conjunction with full plate armour for the limbs and rest of the body. So if you want to reenact a 15th-century foot soldier or men at arms in the 21st century, BE SURE OUR LEEDS BRIGANDINE IS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHOICE! Directly inspired by an original today in the royal armouries at Leeds in England, you can be sure that it enhances your mobility and offers significant protection when you fight event after event, battle after battle, reenactment after reenactment.

The construction of this brigandine includes a layer of supple, GENUINE SUEDE LEATHER riveted to underlying sheets of 18gauge MILD STEEL PLATES (149 plates for small and medium sizes; 147 plates for large and extra-large sizes). This historical brigandine is easily adjustable for your body shape, thanks to its different sizes AVAILABLE and the carefully placed leather straps on the front and shoulders that allow you to adjust it, depending on the type of gambeson you are using. Our reproduction is ideal for LARP, SCA and reenactments.

L:
Length: 68.5cm
Chest: 120cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

A Brigandine was the most common form of protection among commoners and nobility. On a 15th-century battlefield, you will find all the different styles of brigandine, ranging from the most ordinary longbowman’s brigandine to the most expensive and luxurious, high-ranking nobleman’s brigandine! A versatile form of protection offering excellent mobility, a historical brigandine features clever construction. It was made of 100s of small plates under a sturdy canvas or leather covering that gave it its iconic appearance with all the rows of plates elegantly appearing on the outside. Not only did it have an extremely distinguished appearance, but it was also extremely comfortable, precisely because of the excellent mobility it allowed. All these parameters have supported an advantage of being able to be worn for long hours, which is something all reenactors have respected and enjoyed during hours on battlefields and long events.

A brigandine was also quite efficient in offering excellent protection, forming a perfect balance between having almost no hindrance in the movement and retaining a significant amount of protection. It was usually worn by a common soldier, with a haubergeon underneath or just a pair of mail sleeves, a skirt, and a limited amount of armour (all are available separately). It was implemented by knights and men at arms, in conjunction with full plate armour for the limbs and rest of the body. So if you want to reenact a 15th-century foot soldier or men at arms in the 21st century, BE SURE OUR LEEDS BRIGANDINE IS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHOICE! Directly inspired by an original today in the royal armouries at Leeds in England, you can be sure that it enhances your mobility and offers significant protection when you fight event after event, battle after battle, reenactment after reenactment.

The construction of this brigandine includes a layer of supple, GENUINE SUEDE LEATHER riveted to underlying sheets of 18gauge MILD STEEL PLATES (149 plates for small and medium sizes; 147 plates for large and extra-large sizes). This historical brigandine is easily adjustable for your body shape, thanks to its different sizes AVAILABLE and the carefully placed leather straps on the front and shoulders that allow you to adjust it, depending on the type of gambeson you are using. Our reproduction is ideal for LARP, SCA, and reenactments.

S:
Length: 58.4cm
Chest: 100cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.